So... You think you’re bohemian ....................................................by Lyle Dagnen

So...You think you're Bohemian

by Lyle Dagnen

Let me begin this little conversation with an observation; most people only think they're Bohemian. The mindset is just not there and most likely it will never be there. A true Bohemian, regardless of outside appearance, has to be possessed of a mind that is open to the world and all of its foibles, brilliance, darkness, light, change, permanence, humor, sadness, joy, superstition, knowledge, and anything else one can imagine. When that mindset is present, then Bohemian is one of the things that the individual can become; it will happen without having to think about it one teeny tiny little bit.

Being Bohemian was a difficult physical appearance for me to acquire, since I was born into a family of the most un-Bohemian people on the face of the earth. I knew from and early age my thinking didn't fit into the family. Once I was old enough to be considered as having an opinion of my own and being allowed to express the opinion at family gatherings, I found my pronouncements met with a wall of stoned silence and stares. After being verbally accosted for expressing said opinions, I learned to keep my mouth shut.

Then there was the physical appearance thing. I was dressed in the most conservative and standard kind of clothes. When I say dressed, I refer to the clothes I was allowed to wear. I asked about different styles, but was informed that that was not what I would like. I had my doubts, but I wasn't the one sewing at the time or spending the money for clothes. An example: I wanted my dresses hemmed

about an inch above my knee. My mom insisted below the knee was better. She would measure where I wanted, then put the hem where she wanted it, below the knee. Once she realized I had discovered the miracle of duct tape to adjust the hem, that problem was solved. I was an adult, nineteen before I began to dress as I pleased.

That worked out without a hitch because I had moved to a university and had discovered my own style. That style was largely motivated by the U. S. Navy. It seems that the Navy chose to use straight leg jeans and uniforms and all the bell bottoms were sold in surplus stores. I became the beneficiary of some sailor's well-worn soft bell bottoms and fell in love with the style that they provided for me. Jeans slung off my hips and tees that were comfy took the place of linen dresses and gloves and hats and hose and underwear that I strongly detested. I became the free spirit my mind said that I needed to be.

When I did choose a dress I choose a loose fitting, full length brightly colored kind of artistic expression of a thing. Needless to say the tie-dyes and other fashions that were popular just sang to my soul.

When my crazy self decided to become a teacher, I have to admit that my earlier training in how to dress came in handy. One must understand that school boards did not want to hire what they call a hippie freak peacenick. So I once again assumed the dress of the conservative southern belle, but remember that the Bohemian had been let out of the trailer and there is no way you can stuff that baby back in the door.

My earlier training at keeping my mouth shut came in handy as well. It was something like being zapped back in time and learning that if I said the wrong thing, I would be burned at the stake. Not so much set on fire, but the possibilities of being removed from gainful employment made for many silent moments for me.

I remember when some of the dress code relaxed and I was able to wear jeans at least once a week. But that was almost as sinful as showing up naked for work. Dress codes suck wind when they are not accompanied by a uniform code. Dress

codes give a false sense of security with the word “appropriate” dress. That leaves it up to the individual and “thereby hangs the tail”. More than once, I was reminded that what I thought matched the code, did not (in their opinion) do so. I despised the whole concept and more than once expressed my ideas on the topic.

Being Bohemian was in no way limited because of the style in which I dressed. But the idea that someone sets themselves as judge and jury irritated my idea of a person being able to express themselves. True, there are standards of decency; standards of acceptability; but a nice clean pair of jeans is perfectly professional as far as I can see. This is an argument I had for the entire thirty years that I taught.

Moving away from the dress codes, my classroom was a reflection of my openness to the world. Believing that the text book was a guide to instruction and not The Bible. I found many outside sources for instruction — trade books, newspapers, all sorts of materials that opened up the world to the kids I was teaching. They were a part of a very rural community with many of the citizens never leaving the area, even to go to Florida.

Field trips to see Shakespearean plays in Atlanta, dramatic productions in Chattanooga, walking the Chickamauga Battle Field, simply going to Ft. Mountain State Park, became important events for the students. Having people come and present job information at a job fair as early as seventh grade allowed the kids to see that there was more to life that just the place where they lived. It was not just my effort, but the combined effort of many young teachers who shared the same kind of ideas that I had about widening the students’ horizons.

One of the things that slammed me in the face was that no matter how well-educated I thought I was, I did not know nearly what I needed to know to teach school. Thus began my trek through graduate schools, adding certifications as I went along, being open to new ideas, concepts that were in need of modification, learning to try new things and give them a chance to work, opened many new vistas for my students.

Recognizing mistakes I was making and being willing to change them allowed me to become a better teacher. My Bohemian way of thinking allowed me to absorb so many new, better, special, and good ideas that I was always amazed at the amount of growth one person could experience.

Success was measured in long-term evaluations — a student returning from college expressing to me that something I had taught them had helped them through; hearing a kid say, “I did what you would have done. I stood up for myself”; hearing a kid say, “You taught me to love reading when you had us read The Outsiders.” A comment I really like was, “Remember when you read us Holes and we all couldn't wait until the next day to find out what happened?”

Sure teachers are evaluated by professionals, but it's the observations of the students and the comments that they make that are truly what matters. I truly feel that it was my Bohemian mindset that allowed many of the innovations that became a part of my classroom.

My husband and I will forever be at odds about the way I dress. He, coming from a military school, is a button-down dresser. He is often exasperated at my clothing choices. He says my “MuuMuus” just don't give the right impression. Personally, my idea of a dress is some concoction that can be thrown into the air and parachute over my head. Shoes are a mere suggestion of something. I have had to learn not to go barefoot, a difficult transition due to health issues and safety. In retirement, I have discovered that jammies do just fine. My daughter has often been shocked when she discovers I have worn something she considers PJ's out in public. My oldest daughter and my son are more like me and figure if I'm happy who cares.

As for child rearing, I think Bohemian affected me in two ways. One, I was an older parent; two, I was aware that there are some things that just don't make that much difference. My kids chose their own clothes. Not only regarding what they wanted to wear, but I also listened to what they said they wanted to wear.

When they made mistakes, as all kids do, I often started with, “Did you learn anything?” I followed with, “Do you think you need to do things differently?” Then I left it to them to make the changes, telling them that I would be around to help them if they needed me.

Since I wanted my children to be able to say anything to me, I had to be willing to hear anything they said to me without running around like some kind of demented idiot. Believe me, I heard things I did not want to hear, but we also were able of avoid many mistakes because the kids had to decide things without experienced adult help. My kids brought their friends to me, and I had to be sure to advise the friends to talk to their own parents. I also learned that when asked for advice, that it was important for me to help the other person clarify their own ideas and goals. Often, in the clarification of what they were thinking, they found the answer to the problem themselves. They answered their own questions.

Bohemian is a way of living, thinking and being. It's not just flowing skirts and gypsy earrings. I don't know how to be any other way than what I am. It just comes naturally. The most important thing you can do, if the lifestyle enchants you, is work on how you think and react to the world around you.

Colors

are the smiles of nature.--

~Leigh Hunt